Personality, Coping and Quality of Life in Patients With Multiple Sclerosis

Abstract

Background Type D personality is associated with poorer health status and affects quality of life (QoL). The aim of this study is to explore whether different coping strategies mediate association between Type D personality and QoL in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). Methods We collected 156 consecutive patients with MS (response rate: 72.9%; 75% women; mean age 39.95±9.97). Patients completed Type-D Scale-14 (DS14), Coping Self-Efficacy Scale (CSE) and Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) measuring physical (PCS) and mental (MCS) component of QoL. The mediating effect of coping was analysed using the Sobel z test. Findings In PCS no mediation between studied variables was found. In MCS all three studied coping strategies mediated the association between Type D personality and QoL(z=-3.7 for problem focused coping, z=-3.37 for emotion focused coping and z=-4.11 for coping focused on stopping unpleasant emotions and thoughts). Discussion Our results can be implemented in educational programs, psychotherapies and counselling. Caregivers and physicians can teach patients to use various coping strategies in order to mitigate the adverse effects of Type D personality on patient´s QoL